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The Importance of Positionality for Qualitative Researchers
Open accessAbstract
Qualitative researchers are required to be critically reflective and explain to readers their positionality on their work. This account can be relatively straightforward, but there are occasions when this process of reflection and outlining one’s positionality is much more complicated. This method-paper explains this process. It outlines, using examples of different occasions and situations, where and why such complications may arise, for example, around values and personal experiences. It concludes with further practical advice on writing the section on positionality for novice social scientists.
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The subjectivity of qualitative researchers can enhance qualitative research, but it also demands a commitment to continuous critical reflexivity about one's positionality.
“The subjectivity of qualitative researchers can enhance qualitative research, but it also demands a commitment to continuous critical reflexivity about one's positionality [33].”
From Rethinking “Empowering Technology” in Higher Education Accessibility: A Case Study of Disabled Students’ Experiences at a German University (2026) · cites this paper as [33]
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References 29 · Cited by 20
Research works printed but not linked: 26
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Metadata
- Authors
- Gurr, H., Oliver, L., Harvey, O., Subedi, M., & Van Teijlingen, E.
- Affiliations
- Bournemouth University (GB)
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences (NP)
- Venue
- Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology
- Publisher
- Nepal Journals Online (JOL)
- Published
- 2024-06-30
- Pages
- 48-54
- ISSN
- 1994-2664 (ISSN-L)
- 1994-2672
- OpenAlex
- W4400211688
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 5
- FWCI
- 14.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Posthumanist Ethics and Activism
- Keywords
- researcher positionality, reflexivity, critical reflection, researcher values, personal experience, qualitative research ethics
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